Rodgers making strides

Look who’s on the practice field: Ex-Raider Flynn

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Injured Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday he never gives up hope on playing, though he is not sure exactly when he will be back on the field.

Rodgers said on his radio show on 540-AM ESPN that he’s doing everything he can to return from the fractured left collarbone suffered a week earlier in a 27-20 loss to the Bears. He said he’s giving the bone time to heal, and that Tuesday was the best he had felt since getting hurt.

Seneca Wallace started for Green Bay in the 27-13 loss Sunday to the Eagles, but was knocked out after one series with a sore groin.

Third-stringer Scott Tolzien played well given the circumstances in relief. Coach Mike McCarthy has already pronounced Tolzien the starter against the Giants on Sunday.

Rodgers pointed to “small victories” in his recovery, like sleeping through an entire night, and putting socks on without being in extreme pain.

“I haven’t given up hope on playing any week. It depends on how I heal,” Rodgers said on is radio show. “Obviously this week is probably not going to happen. Not going to happen.”

Pressed again, Rodgers said “probably not going to happen.”

Coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that he thought the 2011 NFL MVP might be a couple weeks away, though he doesn’t have a specific date.

Rodgers’ former backup, Matt Flynn has also been brought in for a look with the Packers hurting at quarterback. Flynn has been released this year by the Raiders and Bills.